Ella Mae 'Rusty' Harris

Ella Mae "Rusty" Harris passed away Saturday night with her loving husband and children by her side.

Ella Mae "Rusty" Harris passed away Saturday night with her loving husband and children by her side.

Rusty was born in Ames, Iowa, on Oct. 23, 1930, the daughter of the late Fred and Faye Robertson.

She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Thomas R. Harris of Oak Ridge; her three children, Gail Jane Whatley of Atlanta, Mark David Whatley of San Francisco, and Walter Joseph Whatley of San Diego; and five beloved grandchildren, Brian Whatley, Kevin Whatley, David Whatley, Conor Whatley and Alina Whatley.

With a BS from Iowa State College (now University) and MBA from University of Tennessee, Rusty pursued a varied career as a Systems Analyst and Programmer for a number of institutions in Oak Ridge and Atlanta. She was an accomplished wordsmith, working over decades as a Technical Writer and Editor in a variety of organizations and positions. She had several publications to her credit.

Rusty was a gifted and dedicated singer, a music enthusiast and afficionado, an adventurous and accomplished cook, an avid traveler, and a voracious reader.

She sang in choruses and choirs throughout her life. From the Ames High School Triple Trio in Iowa in 1946, through a six-year tenure with Robert Shaw's Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, to over 30 years as chorister and contralto soloist with the Oak Ridge Unitarian Church Choir, her singing was always a very important part of her life. She performed with Robert Shaw once in Lincoln Center and four times in Carnegie Hall. All who had the privilege of hearing her sing were enriched by her artistry and passion.

Rusty loved and was loved by several dogs and all the critters who visited her houses in Atlanta and Oak Ridge. She attracted friends everywhere she went, with her sweet, bright disposition and her gentle but often acerbic wit. She could always be counted on for a smile given and gotten.

The family invites all who knew Rusty to share memories and stories at a reception beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church on the Oak Ridge Turnpike. All are invited to remember Rusty with gifts to their favorite charities.